What’s worse than bounced checks?
Did you know that payday loans are a fast, convenient, discreet way to deal with a temporary cash shortfall? Not only that, but they’re inexpensive compared to many alternatives, available 24/7 and free of worrisome lead paint.
Lead paint?
Indeed. Indulge me if you will as I tell you an expensive little story…
Once upon a time, parents gave their children gifts during the holiday season without worrying about lead poisoning. Those were the days…
Now toys are under scrutiny
Remember when he tried to sell "safe" toys like Bag-o-Glass?
Toys that are covered with lead-based paints are a danger to young children, particularly those who are still young and will place their toys inside their mouths. Typically, companies that distribute such toys cut corners by finding the cheapest manufacturers possible. New laws regulating the distribution and sale of toys with lead content will soon be in effect, but most companies avoid putting such products on the market as a show of good will.
But not Mattel
Toy maker Mattel will divide $12 million between 39 states by January 30 to settle an investigation over Chinese-made lead-tainted toys that had reached America in 2007. Beginning in August of that year and finishing in December, Mattel and Fisher Price recalled more than 21 million of the suspect children’s items. The fear is that the particular toys had lead paint and tiny magnets that could be swallowed.
They have to tighten their standards
Mattel is required to lower the acceptable level of lead in toys shipped to the U.S. to 90 parts per million down from today’s federal standard of 600 parts per million.
During a press conference, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley said of the ruling, “We are pleased this agreement with Mattel and Fisher Price will result in much safer standards.”
How does the money break down?
Massachusetts will receive $625,000. They will use $500,000 of that to fund lead paint awareness programs and $125,000 for legal costs, Coakley said. Vermont will receive nearly $450,000, Wisconsin $234,700, New Jersey $259,000 and Delaware $197,000.
In total, the States involved in Mattel’s settlement include: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming. It’s a huge number of no fax payday loans from Mattel to those concerned citizens, but remove the words “no,” “fax” and “loans.” They won’t be paying Mattel back with their business.
Get caught, get safety conscious
In a prepared statement, the toy company noted the following:
Mattel has taken steps that go beyond current requirements to give parents greater confidence that the Mattel toys that they buy this holiday season will be the safest ever.
analyst Sean McGowan notes that the $12 million fine is likely less than what legal costs the company would have incurred if the company hadn’t reached a settlement with the states
“$12 million is pretty good to put to rest state-level actions,” he said. But class action lawsuits are still pending, so Mattel isn’t out of the woods yet.
Consumers have the power to say NO to inferior products
When you buy toys that have been made in China or other nearby countries, you run the risk of buying a product that has lead-based paint. Exercise your right to choose by looking at alternative retailers this holiday season. Blogs like Nature Moms is filled with creative shopping ideas for the young ones on your list. Unless we make the choice not to buy from big box stores that continue to push cheaply made, unsafe toys, they will continue to find their way into the United States.
Mattel had to pay $12,000,000. Are you willing to pay with your child’s health? That’s a trip to the emergency room that payday loans would not be able to cover.
Get the lead out NOW!